This is one of those weeks that people ask about all the time! We got so many posts from people who wonder whether they’re the only one who struggled that I thought it would be useful to share our experiences of THOSE runs!
Me? I did not have a fun time! After the massive high of completing Week 5 run 3, I went off like a rocket and then totally ran out of puff. The intervals came at the wrong time. I never got into a rhythm! it made me question whether suddenly I’d forgotten how to run but the good news was it was just a blip and it turned out I was not alone! With the benefit of hindsight, I’d have tried to stay at a steady, comfortable pace and I think I’d have a nicer time.
So…if you’ve done Week 6 and you’ve got a couple of minutes-tell us below how it was for you. Good or bad? Just the next runs?
Sharing your experience and tips might just help out anyone feeling a bit wobbly after having a tough time or coming up to this week!
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MissUnderstanding
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I had to look as I couldn’t remember. And on W6 R1 I had some other things going on (headaches, nausea, going gluten and dairy free, menopause, etc), but from what I remember I welcomed going back to intervals, after the last run having been the first continuous “long” run.
And as i wasn’t feeling too great from the start, I probably took a more measured approach to this run, which - reading about your own experience- might have been not a bad thing.
I am just about to head out for a “short” run which will be ca 35 minutes, so it’s great to acknowledge that 20 minutes (W5 R3) felt really long at some point.
But yes, W6 R1 was a relief to get back to intervals.
Great question!
Happy interval running, everyone! It also counts as running and I love my “Jeffing” runs!
Morning MissU. I have looked back at my C25k efforts, six years ago. I was nervous building up to run 3 week 5, the first continuous run without any walking, and I was so pleased that I got through it without a hitch. I ran it on St. Mary’s Isles of Scilly. The weather was great; just perfect.
In week 6, back on home territory, I hit problems in the form of a minor calf injury on the long runs. Every time I attempted run 3 week 6 I set off feeling fine, and then half way in, my left calf would seize up and I had to limp home. So, the big question for me was “does this mean I am just too old to do this” (aged 66 at the time, never having run for years).
I might have given up, but instead I checked out where the local running shop owning ultra runner went for physio; and struck gold! The physio explained that I had a minor tear, it needed at least a week of rest, I was given a rehab exercise plan; no running!, an instruction to do the exercises twice per day, and a warning “I will know if you haven’t followed instructions!”😂. It worked! I quickly recovered, got to the point where I could run for 25 minutes, and I sailed through the rest of the plan (running very slowly!!).
Loosening up stretches after a run whilst muscles are still warm are golden, as are non running day strengthening routines for calves and ankles in particular. You can do this.🙂
My experience was that Week 6 runs 1&2 were..irritating. It felt like just as I was getting into my stride I had to stop and walk. All whilst knowing I could run 20 mins. However, if you stick with the plan you’ll find yourself running 25 mins by the end of the week, so it’s all worth it 😉
My experience was really difficult, being a "bigger guy" I was elated to be able to run non stop for 20 minutes w5r3, I thought, as I set of for my warmup walk w6r1 this will be a breeze, I can run for 20 minutes, how wrong I was. I couldn't understand why I felt like giving up after the first run, I didn't think I'd make the second run let alone the third. I did it, I focused on my reason for starting (my grandchildren) and through gritted teeth and a bit of cursing under my breath i finished the run. When I got home I felt totally exhausted and deflated. I said to my wife I can't do this. Her response was positive and encouraging but i was still doubting myself. I turned to healthunlocked to see if I was alone. I had some wonderful responses and encouragement from people who had been there, had really struggled but had got through it. Those responses are the reason I'm getting my running shoes on as I type this and am about to smash w6r2. To anyone struggling, reach out there are some really kind encouraging people on here that have been there, once you know it's not just you you realise you can do it. Keep running and keep smiling.
well, my week 6 run 1 was rubbish first time round!! I thought I was invincible because I’d managed a whole 20 minutes (eventually!!!) so I must’ve set off with the confidence of a whippet…only to end up breathless, bewildered & utterly defeated!!
Second time round I’d learned my lesson and took it slow again, went back to the way I was on W5r2….& it worked…I realised that I wasn’t the Olympic material I suddenly thought I was…I was still the towpath plodder and that’s the way I’ve been ever since 😉
I had read that Week 6 Run 1 often catches people out after the euphoria of managing 20 minutes continuous running in Week 5, Run 3. So I played a mental game with myself.
For Week 6 Run 1, I told myself that I was going into Phase 2. Phase 1 was over. Finished! I was now training for Something Else.
It seemed to work and I didn’t have any problems with it 😊
I definitely remember being caught out by this one and wondering what on earth just happened! I think it's the only run I expected to find OK and didn't! All the others I expected to find hard, so wasn't surprised if they felt hard 😂
The real problem wasn't the run - it was only my lack of respect for it.
The great news is that by W7 R1, I was finally beginning to believe in myself and have, honestly, never looked back.
I didn't find week 6 at all more difficult than any of the others. I think that’s because I was taking things very very slowly.
The hardest run for me, by far, was the very first one, Week 1, Run 1, that was a killer because I was so unfit 🥵 and once I got that one done I just knew I’d keep going because I loved all the feelings that were going on in my body and head 😍
The C25K programme. The greatest gift I gave myself 🤗
Hello and thanks for this, I hope folk read, and take heart! I don't remember being awed by Week 6, mainly I feel because I never looked ahead and just took each run as it came.. maybe because I was starting running again at an older age than many, and perhaps slightly cautious but trusting
I do though, like Beachcomber66 feeling a tad apprehensive of Week 5 run 3 and I do remember, quite clearly, waking in the night thinking... goodness, can I really do this...but when I was out there.. I just did it
But, as we are always saying this plan is so, so structured and is more than about just running and one step after the other. It teaches us so much,.
My advice... trust the plan, do not overthink and take it. as ever, slow and steady!🏃♂️🏃♀️
I checked my posts from 4 years ago and I never posted about W6 run 1. I did post about the second one though that I found tough, so I suspect the first one was as well. Since then I’ve repeated C25K a few times and when I get to week 6 I always have AlMorr ‘s words ringing in my ears - the warning that it often catches people out. So in this latest bash I made sure that I took it super slow and it was fine.
Well it's been 7 years since I first started c25k, and I've never finished it. I'm giving it another go, but this time at the gym, so no excuses if it's raining!
As a paid up member of the F Off club (fat over fifty fellas) I've just completed week 6, I'm not quick, but I got through run 3. To be honest I wasn't confident about w5r3 but I did it. W6r1&2 wasn't that bad really. The advantage of a treadmill is that I can properly pace myself.
Anyway, 1 more run and I'm into uncharted territory, but week 7 seems to be all 25 minute ones, and I've just proved to myself I can do that.. so I've got this right?
I just finished this run and made the mistake of changing route…mainly due to dropping my daughter at a club and deciding just to do it here…wow, more inclines than I’m used to, and with the unusual heat, it wasn’t pretty! But it’s done! It’s in the bag, and we move on to the next run at the weekend!
This is my 3rd time doing the programme (I am a seasonal runner, but hoping to change that this year!) and used my old running playlist for the first time this year - that was enjoyable as each track reminded me of what part of the 5k run I’d normally be on. Wee things like this help me get through the struggles.
It's 4 years since I first did C25k but I kept a diary. I had a hiccup at week 4, then week 5 went well and I was euphoric! to run for 20 minutes. Then I found week 6 run 1 so difficult, my legs felt like lead, I needed 3 rest days afterwards! However, run 2 went ok, I had 2 rest days, and then on run 3 I managed to run for 25 minutes non-stop. I was a runner!!
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Start of week 6
Week 6 Run 3! DISASTER?!
It’s been a while! 
Week 6 - Nailed it !
Week 6 was hard!
